42 
MANGOLD. 
leafage, but, where the black Aphides were settled on stems which 
were running up to seed, it would save increase of the pest to clear 
these off and destroy them. 
The common Turnip and Cabbage Aphides, noticed above as preva¬ 
lent, together with those on the Mangolds, are too well known to need 
Aphis rap.® and A. floris-rap^: (Curtis). 
1—4, Turnip-flower Aphis ; 5—8, Turnip Aphis; nat. size and mag.). 
description ; and on the scale of field cultivation, where large areas are 
attacked in consequence of drought keeping back the plants, and 
being favourable to increase of the plant-lice, there does not seem at 
present to be any artificial remedy. In gardens something may 
readily be done by using measures to keep up a good growth, and by 
applying washes with the syringe or garden-engine to clear the lice. 
Water or mere fluid will run off from their repellent coats, but if 
a basis of soft-soap is given so as to make the wash adhere, whatever 
Aphis-poison is preferred, such as quassia, paraffin, or any other 
deterrent, may be used with good effect. 
I have myself found the soft-soap and paraffin wash, brought 
forward in my Report for 1884,* answer well. The powdery coat was 
* As the recipe is the most simple and the surest that I am acquainted with, I 
repeat the description from last year’s Report:— 
The proportions and plan of mixing were worked into this practical form by the 
late Mr. Alex. Shearer, while at Yester, Haddingtonshire, who was a clever chemist 
as well as an able and intelligent gardener. The method has now been tried for 
some years, and found safe as well as serviceable, and is in regular use, under the 
superintendence of Mr. Malcolm Dunn, in the Gardens of the Duke of Buccleuch at 
Dalkeith Palace:—“ To eight parts of soft water add one part of black (soft) soap, 
and boil briskly for a few minutes until the soap is thoroughly dissolved. While 
